Discover Reutlingen

Reutlingen brings together city history, museums and nature experiences. If you’re looking for a hotel in Reutlingen, these themes can shape your stay: you can explore buildings and collections, take a digital city tour or consider hiking options within the city. Other destinations in the district of Reutlingen can be explored separately from these.

Museums and Architectural History in Reutlingen

Since 1998, the Natural History Museum Reutlingen has been housed in the listed Old Lyceum, an imposing half-timbered building dating from 1727. In the Industrial Museum, you can see machinery and products from Reutlingen’s textile industry and mechanical engineering sector. Its collection includes a loom made by the Hermann Wangner company in 1849 and a steam engine made by Ulrich Kohllöffel in 1886. These two objects illustrate different aspects of the region’s industrial history.

The Kunstmuseum Reutlingen in the Spendhaus has a different focus: its collection is devoted to artistic woodcuts and relief prints, from the 19th century to the present day. The building itself has its own history: the six-storey half-timbered building was constructed in 1518 as a grain store for the charitable foundation. The Tübinger Tor, in turn, was built in 1235 as part of the construction of Reutlingen’s medieval city wall. Together, these places offer different ways to explore art, craftsmanship and the city’s earlier history.

Achalm, Listhof and Hiking Options

At 707 metres, Achalm is Reutlingen’s own mountain and an important city landmark. The official “Aussichtsreich” hiking guide lists 14 routes within the city. Check current trail conditions before setting out, as they may change. You can explore the Listhof nature reserve on the edge of the city on foot. The Listhof Environmental Education Centre has several nature areas, biotopes and a bug house to explore and experiment in.

City Tours and Regional Excursions

A historical city tour is scheduled for two Sundays each month; check the current dates before your trip. The digital “City Tour for Everyone” takes you to 22 sights in Reutlingen city centre. If you’d like to use this format, check the app’s availability in advance as well. The two options differ in format: one is a historical guided tour, while the other is a digital route to sights in the city centre.

If you’re also exploring destinations in the district of Reutlingen, Zwiefalten’s Church of Our Lady is at the heart of the old monastery and pilgrimage town. It is one of the notable examples of German Late Baroque architecture; minster concerts are held there every year, with dates varying. Lichtenstein Castle was built from 1840 to 1842 on the foundations of an older knight’s castle. The Hochgehträumt circular hiking trail leads from the castle along scenic cliffs directly to Nebelhöhle cave. Public transport does not run directly to the castle. The nearest bus stops are in Unterhausen (Oberhausener Steige), Honau and Traifelberg; from there, you can hike to the castle. Check connections before your trip.

Münsingen is also in the district of Reutlingen. The Swabian Alb Biosphere Centre uses interactive exhibits as well as audio and video contributions to share information about the nature, landscape and people of the biosphere reserve. The town museum in the Old Castle covers the history and culture of the Münsinger Alb. The Biosphere Centre’s educational group activities include felting as well as planting, harvesting and cooking together. TrÜP guides lead tours of the former Münsingen military training area, either individually or with other visitors on selected dates throughout the year. Check dates and booking options for these activities in advance.

Discover more destinations: Mittelstadt, Römerstein, Eningen Unter Achalm, Pfullingen, Lichtenstein, Münsingen, Riederich, Engstingen.

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